Leeds banter 2

08 May 2024 09:18:47
For a while after Xmas I stopped getting nervous when teams attacked. Thought go for it. Rarely would they score. Now I'm nervous again. I amazes me how teams get 90% of their corners right in the money in our box yet we get 90% wrong. As stated below. We are no threat from dead ball situations. Often try and walk it in too and waste the opportunity. Every time we face a corner I'm expecting mez to flap or miss it and watch as it floats into the net.
It's in explicable really how we collapsed.
Just hope we can inexplicably improve again.

08 May 2024 10:05:06
I know how you feel Aus.

However, we are not alone as the Spurs manager has said he's not worried by the amount of goals his team concede from corners and set pieces. If its good enough for Tottenham. (oh hang on, how many trophies have they won recently 🤔)

08 May 2024 12:38:05
If PB and DJ aren't available

And DF again picks all 4 JP GR WG and CS for an away match to Norwich. Leeds will lose as they have done EIGHT times already with that line up . zero midfield presence . zero press

Play 3 in mf . IG, GK and AG

Drop JP . play MJ or WG up top

Keep it compact in mf and defence . clean sheet please.

08 May 2024 13:35:52
Gruev needs dropping, imo. He's been absent the last few games. But I do like the idea of more of a midfield presence with 3 in there, Baz.

08 May 2024 14:08:38
Dill
We don't have any other mfs though to drop IG esp if 3 in mf.

08 May 2024 14:25:24
I have said this for ages now Aus, a corner used to be of benefit, knowing it would be fed into the box and an opportunity to score. As you rightly point out Mes flaps punches when he could catch, and we always look vulnerable. When it's the other way we find it hard to get it past the near post and we never score, well we did on the odd occasion with coops and Striuck, but they are of no benefit to us normally.
A very frustrating part of our game.

08 May 2024 17:49:12
True, true. Just like the idea of overloading the midfield for the first leg.

If DF continues with a double pivot then I'd prefer IG is dropped.

Would consider Cooper in at CB and push Amps back up next to GK. Cooper mainly for some leadership and passion on the pitch as we've been several lacking a leader and motivator out there recently.

08 May 2024 22:17:53
Changed your tune Dill.

09 May 2024 04:07:42
I guess a series of bad results will do that to a man. Something clearly needs changing to address the issue (s) . Not exactly happy as it has potential for other issues, but the biggest single issue right now is lack of leadership and motivation/ desire on the pitch. We can't just keep going through the motions or we'll sleepwalk ourselves into another season in the champo.

09 May 2024 06:38:47
Why would you reshape the team and change the formation which has been working the whole season?
It’s the players minds that need changing, the confidence and belief they had before they decided to bottle it after the International break.

We are a possession based team, Cresswell has to improve that in his game if he wants a future in playing for our club.

Overloading our midfield will create too many spaces on quick counter attacks, I prefer our 4-2-3-1. We had one of the best defense stats in the league until just recently.

As Bielsa would say, there is no plan B, stick with plan A but just do it better.

09 May 2024 07:17:55
I get what you're saying, but there are a multitude of reasons for a play off game tbf, OP. Extra layer of defence without inviting too much pressure (as opposed to adding an extra CB) , 2 (or 1) sitting and 1 (or 2) with the ability to work higher up the pitch. Compact the pitch as to not allow easy passing lanes to strikers.

If the idea is to not concede away it's a tactic I'd be for in a one off game. We keep a clean sheet away then we set ourselves up well for the second leg.

Can you elaborate a bit on this tho mate as that's not how I see it working, so interested to hear your opinion - "Overloading our midfield will create too many spaces on quick counter attacks"

09 May 2024 08:45:34
Dill, I prefer Ampadu in our back line he’s more effective there than going forward in my opinion, main reason also is that Firpo or Byram are not consistent enough on their defensive duties and we become weak on our defensive flanks. Pushing Amps further forward is only going to expose us to quick counters on those wings, especially with Firpo there.

I miss Phillips for his passing, we give the ball away far too often in midfield which also puts a strain on our back line. Basically we don’t have the strength in midfield to play three there.

09 May 2024 11:04:44
We do need a better LB than Firpo, he has been great going forward with some very good assists and before you say it Baz, we let go of a good LB in Lief, he also has been very good in storming up the field for Ipswich with some fantastic assists, sadly though he is pants at defending. Part of the reason we let him go I imagine and the reason Ipswich seeped in a shedload of goals this season.
Good LB’s who can do both are rare and expensive.
Don’t think we can afford an Andy Robertson or Gvardiol !

09 May 2024 12:02:35
I think Amps is fine at CB but can be caught out positionally (although what you mentioned being dragged across to cover may play a role there) and he's not the strongest in the air. I like him in CM as he's very press resistant and he does look up field once he's turned a man, especially the diagonals to wingers.

I think overloading centrally would force play to the wings due to the congestion and would then allow one of the CMs to double up on the opposing winger, whichever side they may be operating. Would stop a lot of flow coming through central positions and force teams to try less successful options such as crossing from wide. Would also allow the extra man to cover the marauding full backs should they need to. That's how I envision it anyway. Would be a safer option imo.

09 May 2024 12:05:47
OP

1.If DF picks same line up and formation as at QPR. Leeds will lose away from home

You are mistaken. that particular lind up has not been working all season .8 away defeats in 23 matches is a LOT

2 17 goal Leif Davis in our team instead of Ipswich

Leeds would have been Champions

Ipswich would have finished 8th.

09 May 2024 13:08:07
Far too many other variables at play in a full season to credibly start claiming we “would have” been this, that, or anything. In fact that is complete nonsense. You are assuming he would have achieved exactly the same thing in a different system, with different players, different bloody everything! 🤣🤣🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

09 May 2024 14:01:33
That's very true, Bright.

09 May 2024 15:42:30
Bright
remove 17 goal assist Leid Davis from Ipswich team . they ain't finishing anywhere near 96 points fella . use your noggin lol 😆

And Leif Davis would be far more effective in doing the JF role in DF " system.

09 May 2024 17:20:46
Jebus. Give it a rest! Who’s to say Ipswich wouldn’t then have a different player who did more than LD, eh!? Stop trying to be mystic Meg! You can’t account for any of these things, so stop making statements as tho you’re the font of all knowledge, and can therefore predict the future. Nowt works like that, anywhere! 🥴🤔🤯🤯🤯.

09 May 2024 19:35:53
Leif Davis would of scored 4 OGs for us too then and we'd end up in playoffs still after losing those games 🤣

Plus if we had Davis we'd have an extra 10 assists rather than 17 as you'd have to account for losing Firpo's assists wouldn't you.

Anyway, it's just a load of waffle is this tbh. Players aren't going to do the EXACT same at other teams are they. All massive speculation and assumption.

09 May 2024 20:02:23
The probability of Ipswich finding a LB who got more than record breaking 17 assists of Leif Davis for a LB is about 0.0001%

Brighty you are funny 😁.

09 May 2024 22:11:55
Funny, maybe. Talking predictive toss, not at all. Making up probability data, also a big fat zero.

08 May 2024 06:10:19
After talking about Kamara yesterday, I thought I'd check into his stats a bit, as I always thought he was a little better offensively than he's shown for us.

Looking at it I think he's been a victim of our offensive player's poor finishing.

Kamara's xA (expected assists) this season have him at 7.51, ranking him in the 90th percentile. Furthermore, he has 39 key passes whilst having 2.74 shot creating actions per game.

I feel like I was a bit harsh after reading that, as the stats indicate poor finishing has been a big contributor as to why Kamara hasn't put some assists on the board this season.

I can't remember exact moments off the top of my head, but those are good stats. Along with a 92.7% pass completion rate.

08 May 2024 08:00:15
Great data based post as always Dill. I do think he has been somewhat harshly judged in some aspects. He has far outperformed expectations I feel, and does offer something going forward. He definitely ain’t one for pulling the trigger but while not carrying assists as such, has set up “the assister” on several occasions. Again, stats don’t show everything simply because there is no recognition for involvement in setting up the final assist.

08 May 2024 08:49:59
Yes dill. Although kamara is a bit shot shy his pressing and strong tackling have kept us in dangerous areas and kept attacks going. Especially in the early season I do remember him winning possession and creating chances.
It goes back to the chances not been put away.
I don't mind so much the lack of goals from kamara or gruev as they are more defensive. I think amps was unlucky early on with a few shots when he was in midfield. If he'd continued to play there he might of got more.
It's the set pieces that have let us down . Not a sausage for months.
I think we had 20 in two games and not a shot or header on target.
Surely a top team should be into double figures for set pieces in a season? At least.

08 May 2024 09:46:16
Kamara has been good for us. We need his ball winning and distribution further up the pitch. Gruev does it further back. The problems on Saturday were Rutter losing the ball and Ampadu being pulled over to left back to cover for Firpo’s roamings further upfield. Left us exposed. And without PB there’s no one to get on the end of the Firpo crosses. His tracking back for their second goal was so bad it almost makes me think he didn’t know what his role was. He’s a winger at best.

08 May 2024 12:39:36
Whatever happens and whichever league we be in next season . we need at least 2 new midfielders!

. creative and goalscoring fgs!

08 May 2024 13:47:40
Bright, we need an new stat for Kamara - assist for the assist haha.

Yep, set pieces - offensively and defensively - a massive negative in our game. Has been for some time now as we are losing ground on other teams specifically because of it some weeks.

And agree, Baz.

08 May 2024 14:06:27
Lol Dill! But then the person who passed it to the assister of the assist provider would want recognition too?!

08 May 2024 14:09:08
Indeed Dill.

08 May 2024 17:50:30
Where's does it end 🤣.

08 May 2024 07:39:52
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

07 May 2024 20:33:00
The Tigers have sacked their manager after failing to secure a playoff spot.
He's only won 1 game out of the last 4, that's better than our post International results.

07 May 2024 21:04:29
Yes leeroy. Liam had hull playing well but no end result bit like us early season. The city fans are shocked by this news.

07 May 2024 21:09:01
Good grief. Another hothead chairman.

08 May 2024 04:00:00
Werent Hull in top 6 in December/ Jan smd their board really backed Rosenoir in Jan window.

Rosenoir not quite good enough ; but who Hull get instead is interesting .

As for Leeds and DF

DF stubbornness making same mistakes again and again is infuriating and like Bielsa will get him the tin tack.

Praying that PB and DF are back for Norwich away.

08 May 2024 05:51:43
They had a good squad this season tbf, so I guess it could be deemed failure if LR had indicated he thought he could get play offs.

Philogene, Greaves, Morton all EPL quality.

08 May 2024 08:01:29
I have a sneaky feeling Hull will go for Moyes. Not an entertainer, but can get the required jobs done.

08 May 2024 09:53:23
Acun must have had someone lined up just the timing of it. LR had got backing in the transfer windows and that the thing he had the fire power Billy sharp etc but he kept them on the bench.
I think his biggest downfall was young delap getting injured towards the end of the season goals dried up.
I'm thinking Steve Cooper.

08 May 2024 11:16:27
That’s a good shout Ben. Forgot he was still outta work!

07 May 2024 20:03:30
Controversial opinion
Is it time we did an Arsenal and look at new anthem, something more modern and a bit more rousing . I'm beginning to think marching on together is sounding a little stale and dated.

07 May 2024 21:05:31
Er, no.

07 May 2024 21:28:16
Without wanting to sound too negative, no.

07 May 2024 22:01:51
No way sister.

07 May 2024 22:08:04
Absolutely not. We have the best anthem of all.

07 May 2024 22:18:01
How about 2 anthems. a new one and existing one.

07 May 2024 23:03:01
We should never change our anthem! Best Anthem in the world.

08 May 2024 09:56:25
Maybe kaiser chief could up date ours.

Oooooo marching on together!
Oh marching on together!

08 May 2024 11:16:46
Lol Ben!

07 May 2024 14:10:27
It's a ltd company btw who are owed the cash.

07 May 2024 14:09:43
Question that maybe Ani maybe able to answer

If a company are declared insolvent and are in debt to many sub contractors, can the subbys offset the loses against their revenue annual tax bill?

07 May 2024 16:32:01
Call the Toffees better accountancy hotline 📞☎️. Then try Florist 🌲 for a second opinion.

07 May 2024 18:18:23
😂😂😂
Brillo Blanco.

08 May 2024 06:21:15
Yes Chris…if a company is unlikely to receive money, they can either continue to hold that money in the accounts (in the hope they may ultimately get paid) or right-off the debt. The latter reduces profit / increases the losses and therefore, any corporation tax due at the end of the year of the net outcome is commensurately reduced.

08 May 2024 16:43:21
I should add, if VAT has been involved and the company has paid VAT on the money / debt, then this can also be recovered back.

08 May 2024 21:07:57
Thank for your insight Ani👏

Had a feeling you would know company law well

Cheers pal.

07 May 2024 10:01:30
Fair enough Dougie my post is pretty despondent regarding Leeds play off chances which reading it again this morning I forgot to take into account that Bamford and James should be rested and fit to play who we missed really badly at QPR and Southampton so even as I write this now the doom and gloom is starting to lift and is being replaced by genuine excitement and a beautiful euphoric visualisation of Farke's men being triumphant at Wembley with 40,000 ecstatic Leeds fans giving it back large to the rival supporters who mocked us.

Our form has not been great, hense my original pessimism but with a couple of key players back plus Roberts too we can get our early 2024 impressive run going again and experience promotion Wembley style that Leicester and Ipswich fans will be extremely envious of.

Yes positive thoughts Dougie you are right, it's impossible for me to be neutral to not care and switch off my Leeds United allegiances I was kidding myself or meakly protecting myself, so yes I shall man up wear my lucky Leeds socks and suffer and then enjoy the ride these next 3 games takes us all on. MOT.

07 May 2024 18:35:10
That's the spirit CW, I feel like a coach now lol. Tgeres too much grey cloud on here somewhere, but not dismissing some realism either. We are all ALAW and MOT or we're not, but that's my rose tinted glasses.

07 May 2024 01:24:33
I was quite resigned Saturday night to our season being done regarding promotion as I convinced myself that the side are shot and look incapable of beating anyone.

A few days later and although I still don't feel that confident about first overcoming Norwich and if we did manage to do that then it's difficult to see anything other than final disappointment against Southampton or WBA who we've only managed a solitary point against both sides and that came courtesy of a late marauding Luke Ayling leaping like a salmon to equalise.

So accepting another season in the Championship is odds on and taking all the social media teasing from other clubs fans on the chin I have freed myself from any anxiety or expectations in the 2 Norwich games and feel almost detached and a neutral observer which I shall be for both games on tv and see them as a free hit and with nothing to lose.

Nowr maybe my emotional switch off and relaxed attitude will change if the Norwich tie ends up being decided on penalties but I'll face that possibility if it comes and similarly in a Wembley final which apart from a 4-3 Charity Shield win against Liverpool in 1992 I have never seen Leeds win there and again would go into such a game with pretty low expectations but first things first Norwich.

I personally feel if Leeds are to have a chance of getting through the tie they need to win at Carrow Road by 2 goals as I am not convinced the first team can put in another strong performanc in only 3 days later and anticipate Norwich beating us at Elland but
again that's my resigned to another season in the Championship mindset speaking which I sincerely hope is wrong.

Till Sunday then and let's hope this board is a wash with complimentary remarks about Leeds dominate performance which sees us going into the 2nd leg at least 2 goals to the good. MOT.

07 May 2024 06:52:31
Cheshire, if football was played on paper meaning stats etc we’d probably lose these play off games, but football often goes against statistical information and turns results upside down.

Anything can happen pal, especially in the play offs.

Nothing is decided, it’s simply like a random roll of the dice in my opinion.

07 May 2024 08:24:07
Crikey Cheshire hope I don't get stuck in a lift with you. So you are a Leeds fan that wants to be neutral, as you expect us to lose and therefore won't be dissapointed.
Pal, life is a rollercoaster you just got to ride it. You got to have faith. We need to get Physical, then it's Que sera sera. And when it's all said and done we will all be Happy Talking.
I hope you all noted the songs 🤣.

07 May 2024 09:45:44
It was life is a minestrone dougie. Not roller coaster.

07 May 2024 10:11:28
Personally, I think we'll easily beat Norwich.
I also think WBA will beat Southampton and it'll be a Leeds v WBA final 🤔🤔
The winner of this clash, will hopefully be Leeds United 👏👏.

07 May 2024 18:36:45
Aus, Westlife never sung a song about a bowl of soup.

07 May 2024 22:10:02
Wasn't it Ronan Keating?

08 May 2024 07:29:35
It was Alf you're right.

08 May 2024 09:20:07
10cc did 👍.

06 May 2024 21:30:37
You cannot feel sorry for those Londoners who have travelled all the way to Crystal Palace to see their beloved Munchester tonight.

06 May 2024 22:09:55
I do hope prem that they serve a good prawn sandwich at Palace.
Mind you might be a few choking on them tonight watching this.
Some good goals from Palace tonight!

06 May 2024 23:25:33
I think teams have found us out, do you remember when teams found out MB’s teams?, well I reckon it’s happened again, here’s why;

1. Cry Summerville, great player but only has one trick, his right foot, he’s now getting found out and shut down, as soon as he gets it out on the wing the opposition smother him, his head goes, sulks and starts becoming sluggish.

2. Georginio, fabulous player, great turn of foot, again been found out and other teams players now surround him and don’t let him play. They foul him, roll him, shirt pulling and little trips on him, he then tends to start wayward passing, his tricks don’t work and the odd shot goes high into the stand or becomes a mishit. Subbed and then sulks!

3. Willy Gnonto, again great player but he’s been found out and other players wind him up, he gets fouled, little niggly fouls, shirt pulling etc etc and they get a reaction, he then commits fouls, his head goes down and that’s it he done and subbed!

4. Patrick Bamford, he’s slowing down now and the opposition know it, they then know that they can give him a few yards start and still catch him, so they play to his weaknesses, he gets frustrated and then tries to do things he can’t and ends up looking stupid, again he’s either great or crap. He puts in a shift and does track back but he’s easily worked out when in attack!

5. Finally the other 7 play to their strengths every game but when you have 4 players taken out like we have had done of late it does not bode well. DF needs to give us a new dimension, he can do this by using DJ from the start along with Jayden Anthony, MJ, and Joel Piroe. Kamara and Gruev need to stay in midfield and Archie needs to go back to RB while Firpo stays at left back. Amps and Rodon speak for themselves. We then have plenty of pace on the bench for him to use for the last 15/ 20mins.

But what do I know eh, I’m just a Leeds fan who like all the other Leeds fans thinks he knows it all and should be the next Leeds manager! In the words of Manuel, ‘I know nothing’! 👍👍🤷🤷.

07 May 2024 07:40:35
Woody, my issue with Cry, at least what I've noticed, is that he's become less and less likely to play inside the lines and get the ball to feet wirh his back to goal, where he was very effective collecting the ball and turning and running at players.

Recently he seems to hug the line more. This along with him generally being doubled up has made him less effective as he only has one channel to go - inside.

We need continual overlap from Firpo (or whoever is LB) to make that play effective. But again, can't have Firpo bombing on every instance as we've become more porous defensively and it makes us easier to pass through after losing possession.

I'd like to see him collecting the ball to feet closer to the centre circle again. His press resistance is phenomenal in those situations and he's a much better creator when he has more options a little further in the pitch, with his head up running at people. Allows for a give and go, a through ball or a dribble or a shot on goal, rather than leaving fewer options and passing routes from out wide.

{Ed001's Note - that sounds like a coaching problem to me. Players usually naturally tend to drift into the centre without instruction, as they want to get involved in the play more and be closer to the action. If he is now playing wider, it is likely that is what he is asked to do in order to create more space in the middle by drawing players out to mark him.}

07 May 2024 08:44:20
Sounds like it could be, Ed. Problem is there's no one else occupying that space for us if Cry is perpetually hugging the line. Kamara and Gruev rarely make positive runs or crash the box etc. Always hovering around the half way line. Means we're always a bit fractured between our midfield pivot and offensive players.

07 May 2024 15:21:05
Totally agree Dill
A big gaping hole that powers that be never addressed.

An attacking CM was so much on my wish list, but we stuck with a trio of same ilk

Although. i know 1 was moved into defence

It's no surprise really we limited our attacking threat with players we signed.

07 May 2024 16:58:52
Agree, Chris. For some reason I always thought Kamara was a little more attacking than he has shown. Definitely not the case this season. Gets a nosebleed if he goes further than the opponent's side of the centre circle.

Needs addressing this summer.